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2017 on Martha's Vineyard: Most Popular Photos of the Year

This photo of the Old Sculpin Gallery during the first snow was the Gazette's most liked photo of the year on Instagram.Ross Culliton

Lisa Vanderhoop's picture of Bonnie and Clyde cooling off in Vineyard Haven Harbor won a blue ribbon at the Ag Fair, graced the front page of the Gazette, and was the third most-liked photo on Instagram.Lisa Vanderhoop

The ferry Woods Hole carries nothing but a view of the sunset in the fourth most liked photo of the year on Instagram.Lucy Menton

A perennial favorite: the Edgartown lighthouse lit for the Christmas season was the fifth most popular Instagram photo.Mark Alan Lovewell

Sunsets and ferries are a winning combination. This view from the ferry was the sixth most-liked Instagram photo of the year. "My favorite spot/door to sneak a framed view on the ferry," one person commented on Instagram.Larry Glick

This photo of five officers and five new babies was popular across all the Gazette's social media this year, and one of the top five candidates for Best in Show in the Gazette show at Featherstone. "As a fellow Island-born baby — welcome! We are a lucky bunch," one commenter said on Instagram.Maria Thibodeau

Five cows had an adventure on State Road in February. This photo documenting the crazy scene was the ninth most liked, and one of the most commented on, photos of the year on Instagram.Alison L. Mead

This 2014 photo of sandpipers in flight at Philbin beach was popular again this year, winning the best in show award in an exhibit of Gazette photography at Featherstone Center for the Arts. The photo also garnered lots of fans on social media.Timothy Johnson

Every winter snowy owls attract birders and photographers who want to see the regal Arctic visitors on Vineyard beaches. This snowy owl was seen on Chappaquiddick in November, and the photo was the 10th most popular photo on Instagram.Lanny McDowell

A peaceful fall day on Edgartown harbor was the 11th most popular Instagram photo and spawned a new hashtag: #soooostill.Larry Glick

A curious seal popped out of the water at Squibnocket and Albert O. Fischer was there to capture the moment in the 12th most popular Instagram photo.Albert O. Fischer

Aquinnah valentine: this snowy heart on Philbin Beach was the most popular photo of the year on the Gazette Facebook page.Jenifer Strachan

A summer full moon over Edgartown harbor was another popular Facebook photo. "An awfully nice moon for such a tiny town," one commenter said.Mark Alan Lovewell

Downward facing goat? This photo of goat yoga at Native Earth Teaching Farm received the most comments of the year on the Gazette's Instagram account, with many eager to try out goat yoga themselves.Caroline Roddy

And a late contender: this photo of sun breaking through clouds on Christmas day in Aquinnah quickly climbed to the second most popular of the year on Instagram. Here's to more beautiful moments in 2018.Timothy Johnson

The first snow falling over the familiar Old Sculpin Gallery, the Edgartown lighthouse aglow for the Christmas season, a snowy valentine on an Aquinnah Beach. Sunsets from ferries, still days and full moons over the harbor. Two golden retrievers cooling off on a summer day, a snowy owl in its winter splendor. Seals, yoga with goats, and rampaging cows.

These were the Gazette's most popular photos as chosen by followers on Instagram and Facebook. Some photos were taken by staff photographers and freelancers while others were sent to the Gazette by talented community photographers. Each showed a moment, season, or part of the Vineyard that resonated with the audience.